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Protecting touch screens with the right plastic enclosures

OKW explains how tough polymer enclosures are superseding traditional metal enclosure designs for protecting vulnerable displays in demanding applications.

Touch screens and displays are inevitably fragile, requiring lots of protection. Even impact-resistant aluminosilicate glass is not completely accident proof. Besides, behind every fragile display are other equally sensitive electronic components. So, enclosures must be robust. In the past that probably meant a metal housing. However, today’s high-strength plastic enclosures provide a credible alternative.

Certified impact resistance is the obvious starting point when specifying a plastic destined for a life of hard knocks. IK08 (exemplified by OKW’s wall- mount/pole-mount/tabletop Solid-Box) shows the enclosure can withstand five joules of impact. This is equivalent to a 1.7 kg object being dropped from a height of 30 cm.

Look for plastic blends such as PC+ABS or ASA+PC. PC (polycarbonate) is used in riot shields and bullet-proof glass. ABS has excellent impact resistance but can degrade when exposed to sunlight for long periods. ASA was developed as a more UV- stable alternative, not just for outdoor use: ASA+PC is worth specifying for indoor applications too.

Thick enclosure walls moulded from heavy-duty plastics are only half the story; smart design features such as deep recesses protect vulnerable connectors and interfaces.

Consider also the enclosure’s IP rating. IP 65 is a good start, offering complete protection against dust and a good level of water resistance. Certification is based on a 15-minute water jet test (12.5 lit/min, 30 kPa, at 3 m). Solid-Box is rated IP 66 and IP 67. IP 66 safeguards against temporary flooding (test duration three minutes, 100 lit/ min, 100 kPa, at 3 m). IP 67 enclosures can withstand immersion for 30 mins in water 150 to 1,000 mm deep.

Again, good design is a key factor. Enclosures such as handheld Datec- Compact (IP 65) enable SD cards and USB connectors to be inserted within the sealed area on versions with a battery compartment.

OKW’s marketing director, Robert Cox, said: “The rise of IIoT, with its large number of sensors, has helped to make plastic enclosures more popular in factories. This, in turn, has made designers realise the potential of tough modern plastic enclosures for other industrial electronic applications.”

Specifying a standard model such as Solid-Box or Datec-Compact and then having it customised has always been quicker and more cost-effective than opting for a fully bespoke enclosure— especially if the standard range offers plenty of accessories that further reduce the need for bespoke add-ons.

Now that choice makes even more sense because new technology has made customisation faster and more affordable (even for smaller batches). Services include machining, printing/laser marking, lacquering, decor foils, special materials, EMC shielding and installation/ assembly of accessories.

Partnering with an enclosures manufacturer that can do all this in-house ensures quality and saves time and money.

www.okw.co.uk/en/Products/Plastic-enclosures.htm